Teresa’s Pond Sketch

Teresa and Celia bring a sketchbook to the park pond with Dad. Teresa wants to draw the tall willow tree and its reflection in the water.

A breeze sends little ripples across the pond before Teresa begins. The reflected tree breaks into wavy pieces. She cannot follow the shape with her pencil.

Celia suggests drawing faster, but the water keeps changing. Dad asks if they can find a quieter view. They must stay on the dry path behind the rail.

They walk to a bench sheltered by the willow’s branches. The girls can see a calm patch near the bank. Here, the reflection is much clearer.

Teresa draws the tree first, then adds its upside-down shape below it. Celia watches the water and points out where the reflected branches meet the edge of the bank.

A duck swims through their calm patch, leaving a spreading trail of ripples. The girls pause their drawing and wait until the moving water becomes still again.

Celia adds a small duck to the corner of their picture. Dad asks why some parts of the pond were easier to draw. The girls explain.

They close the sketchbook before walking home along the path. “Our picture needed a quiet view,” says Teresa, “and sometimes we needed to wait for it.”